Drapery carrier



July 26, 1966 M. A. sALTZ DRAPERY CARRIER Filed Jan. '7, 1964 ali'lig I I,

INVENTOR Maze/s A.

AT TOQNEV United States Patent 3,262,148 DRAPERY CARRIER Morris A. Saltz, 1083 S. Ogden Drive, Los Angeles, Calif. Filed Jan. 7, 1964, Ser. No. 336,238 11 Claims. (Cl. 1687.4)

The present invention relates to drapery carriers or hangers, and more particularly to carriers adapted for slidable movement along a companion traverse rod or track.

In the supporting of draperies on a traverse rod, a plurality of carriers, slides or hangers hav heretofore been inserted into the rod from an end portion thereof, and such hangers then secured to the drapery at desired spaced intervals, as through the agency of pin hooks inserted in the drapery and fitting in the carriers. It may be found that insufiicient or an excess of carriers have been assembled in the rod, that an additional carrier is required at a particular location along the drape, or that a carrier is mounted on the rod at an unrequired point. The supplying of the additional carrier or carriers at a particular location, or removal of the carrier or carriers, has heretofore entailed at least partial disassembly of the drapery and carriers with respect to the traverse rod to allow the addition of a carrier or carriers at th required points or the removal of unneeded carriers, followed by reassembly of the drapery and carriers in proper suspended relation to the traverse rod, all of which are time consuming and costly operations.

It has been proposed to provide carriers that can be inserted in the rod or removed therefrom without disturbing other carriers assembled on the rod, but such carriers have been diflicult to mount in and remove from the traverse rod, become inadvertently dislodged from the traverse rod, fail to slide freely along the rod, become entangled with other carriers, or are relatively complex.

Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide an improved drapery carrier or hanger capable of being mounted in and removed from a slotted traverse rod without disturbing other carriers assembled in the rod.

Another object of the invention is to provide a drapery carrier or hanger for use with a traverse rod having a longitudinal access slot, which is easily insertable directly through the slot into the rod, and easily and purposely extractable from the rod through its slot, but which still Will not be extracted inadvertently during normal use in shiftably supporting the drapery from the traverse rod.

A further object of the invention is to provide a drapery carrier or hanger, which is deflectable for easy insertion and extraction through the slot of a traverse rod, but which will not substantially deflect or deform during normal use in slidably supporting the drapery from the rod, thereby insuring retention of the carrier in the rod.

Still another object of the invention is to provide a drapery carrier of the type indicated, which will slide freely along the traverse rod, and which will not bind or become entangled with other carriers mounted in the rod.

An additional object of the invention is to provide a drapery carrier of the type indicated, which is strong and sturdy, and yet of light weight construction.

This invention possesses many other advantages, and has other objects which may be made more clearly apparent from a consideration of a form in which it may be embodied. This form is shown in the drawings accompanying and forming part of the present specification. It will now be described in detail, for the purpose of illustrating the general principles of the invention; but it is to be understood that such detailed description is not to be taken in a limiting sense, since the scope of the inven tion is best defined by the appended claims.

Referring to the drawings:

FIGURE 1 is a rear elevational view of a traverse rod Patented July 26, 1966 or track and several associated hangers thereon in combination with the upper portion of a drapery;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged vertical section taken along the line 22 on FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a further enlarged vertical section through a traverse rod disclosing the mode of assembling a carrier or hanger through the access slot of the rod;

FIG. 4 is a view similar to FIG. 3 disclosing a further condition of the carrier or hanger in being inserted into the traverse rod;

FIG. 5 is a view similar to FIGS. 3 and 4 of th carrier or hanger fully assembled in the traverse rod;

FIG. 6 is a view similar to FIGS. 3 to 5 illustrating the initiation of removal of a carrier or hanger from the traverse rod;

FIG. 7 is an isometric projection of a carrier, slide or hanger;

FIG. 8 is a rear elevational view of one of the carriers;

FIG. 9 is a vertical section taken along the line 9-9 on FIG. 8.

A traverse rod or track A is illustrated in the drawings in association with a drapery B which is to be supported therefrom through use of a plurality of carriers or hangers C. The drapery may overlie an outwardly facing portion of the traverse rod and may be connected to the carriers through the intermediary of drapery pin hooks D, the pin portion 10 of each hook being inserted at the desired location in the drapery, usually at a pleat in the latter, the hook portion 11 of the drapery being adapted to be inserted through a hole or opening 12 in the lower portion of an associated carrier or slide C.

The traverse rod A illustrated is of generally channelshape, having a forward vertical web portion 13 merging into upper and lower opposed generally U-shaped portions 14, 15, which, in turn, merge into upper and lower vertical flanges 16, 17 that are directed toward each other, the edges 18, 19 of the flanges being spaced apart a desired vertical distance to provide a longitudinally extending access slot 20 through the rear portion of the traverse rod.

The carriers C can slide along the traverse rod and will normally rest upon the edge 19 of the lower flange 17. The carriers illustrated are adapted for transverse insertion through the access slot 20 into the carrier and can also be removed transversely of the traverse rod through this access slot. When disposed in the access slot 20 and within the channel or interior 21 of the rod, the carriers cannot inadvertently be removed therefrom.

As disclosed in the drawings, each carrier C includes an upper body 22, including a central generally cylindrical shank 23 having a diameter which is substantially less than the vertical distance between the upper and lower flanges 16, 17 defining the longitudinal access slot 20. The rear end of this shank merges into and is integral with an outer body portion 24 that extends laterally outwardly substantially beyond the periphery of the shank completely around its circumference. This outer body portion is integral with a depending vertical leg portion 25 that terminates in a foot portion 26 which may be inclined in a downward direction from the plane of the leg portion, so as to substantially underlie the shank 23. This foot portion has the hole or opening 12 through which the U-shaped portion 11 of the drapery pin hook is inserted, as disclosed most clearly in FIG. 2.

The outer body portion 24 includes a vertical central web 27 that is integral with the shank 23, this web merging into a corresponding vertical web portion 28 of the leg. The web portions of the body and leg are integral with horizontal reinforcing flanges 29, 30 extending outwardly of the webs 27, 28 around their marginal portions, the upper portion of the body web 27 and its associated reinforcing flange 29 preferably being curved and lying on a cylinder having the axis of the shank 23 as a center, the lower ends of such curved portions merging into tangential side and flange portions extending from the leg, which may taper downwardly toward each other, as disclosed most clearly in FIG. 1. The outer edges 31 of the leg flanges may also incline toward the web 28 of the leg and merge into the foot portion 26.

Each carrier also includes an inner body portion 32 that comprises a circular vertical web 33 integral with the inner end 23 of the shank. Extending axially from the perimeter of the vertical web is a cylindrical reinforcing flange 34, the web and cylindrical reinforcing flange having an axis parallel to but eccentric to the axis of the shank 23, the diameter of the inner body portion being substantially greater than the diameter of the shank 23. More specifically, the axis of the inner body portion 32 is substantially above the axis of the shank, the lowermost surface 35 of the inner body portion extending slightly below the lowermost surface of the shank, so that a shallow groove 36 is provided between the lower end 35 of the inner body portion and the opposed lower part t of the outer body portion web 29 into which the lower flange 17 of the traverse rod can extend. Because of its eccentric location relative to the shank 23, a comparatively deep upper groove portion 37 is present between the upper part of the body portion 32 and the opposed outer body portion 24, from which it is spaced axially by the intervening shank 23. The vertical distance from the uppermost portion of the shank 23 to the lowermost end 35 of the inner body portion is less than the width of the access slot 20 of the traverse rod A.

Integral with the web 33 of the inner body portion is a retainer portion 40. This retainer portion actually constitutes a radial extension of the web 33 of the inner body portion, extending radially downwardly from the latter from a maximum distance below the lower portion of the cylindrical flange or skirt 34 of the inner body portion to a minimum or zero extent at the upper end of the latter. Actually, the inner web 33 and the retainer portion 40 may be deemed to be a single part of circular disc shape having an axis common with the axis of the shank 23 and having a radius which is only slightly less than the radius of the vertical web 27 and reinforcing flange 29 of the outer body portion 24. The reinforcing flange 34 and inner web 33 are axially spaced from the outer body portion 24 by the length of the shank 23 and form a groove around the latter, including the upper and lower groove portions 37, 36, adapted to receive the upper flange 16 and the lower flange 17 of the traverse rod or track A.

The carrier may be made in one piece and of a suitable elastic material, such as nylon. All portions of the carrier will have comparatively little deformation, with the exception of the retainer 40 extending laterally outwardly of the inner body portion skirt 34. This retainer portion is sufiiciently thin as to be axially deflectable, both in a direction toward the shank 23 and in a direction toward the cylindrical skirt 34. It will more readily deflect in a direction toward the shank, in view of the fact that the shank is disposed upwardly to a slight distance relative to the periphery of the web 33 and the cylindrical skirt 34. The retainer can deflect axially toward the cylindrical skirt 34, but will encounter greater resistance in doing so. When the deflecting force on the retainer is removed, the retainer, because of its elasticity, will inherently return to its initial position substantially parallel to the outer body portion 24, providing a relatively deep groove with the outer body portion at the lower end of the shank 23. The particular material of which the carrier is made renders the retainer 40 deflectable and yet elastic, so as to return to its initial undef-ormed condition relative to the remainder of the carrier.

As stated above, the carrier C is insertable transversely into the access slot 20 and can also be removed transversely through this access slot. The mode of assembling a carrier with respect to the traverse rod A is illustrated in FIGS. 3, 4 and 5. As shown in FIG. 3, the carrier may be grasped by the fingers F of a persons hand, as at its foot portion 26, and placed in an inclined position relative to the traverse rod such that the upper part of the inner body portion 32 is insertable through the slot 20 and behind the upper flange 16, the shank being brought into engagement with the lower edge 18 of the traverse rod upper flange. At this time, the deflectable retainer 40 engages the outer edge portion 19 of the lower flange 17. The exertion of inward force on the carrier will cause the retainer 40 to deflect longitudinally or axially toward the outer body portion 24, such as illustrated in FIG. 4, until the retainer snaps over the edge 19 of the traverse rod lower flange and into the cavity 21 within the channel-shaped rod, at which time, the retainer 40 will inherently return to its original position, such as illustrated in FIG. 5, thereby completing the full assembly of a carrier with respect to the traverse rod.

As illustrated in FIG. 5, the carrier is supported on the traverse rod A by the engagement of its cylindrical shank 23 with the upper edge 19 of the lower flange 17. Any substantial further inward movement of the carrier with respect to the traverse rod is prevented by engagement of the outer body portion 24 of the carrier with the upper and lower flanges 16, 17. Any tendency for the carrier C to shift to any substantial extent transversely outwardly through the access slot 20 of the traverse rod is prevented by the engagement of the upper part of the inner body portion 32 with the inner surface of the upper flange 16, and by the engagement of the depending retainer 40 with the inner surface of the lower flange 17. The upper portion 37 of the groove surrounding the shank 23 is relatively deep, allowing substantial entry of the upper flange 16 thereinto, and this is also true of the lower groove between the retainer 40 and the opposite outer body portion 24 or leg 25. Accordingly, the carrier C cannot shift outwardly of the traverse rod and through its access slot 20, but will remain assembled within the traverse rod.

The carrier will remain assembled in the transverse rod despite any rocking of the carrier about the axis of its shank 23, placing it in an inclined condition relative to the vertical positions shown in FIG. 1. As the carrier is turned, as by swinging its leg portion 25 in an upward direction, the upper and lower flanges 16, 17 of the tiraverse rod remain in the groove between the retainer 40 and web 27 of the inner body portion, since such combined retainer and web actually has an effective diameter which is only slightly less than the diameter of the outer body portion 24, the effective groove being substantially uniform around the entire circumference of the shank 23. Accordingly, the carrier C will remain in its assembled condition within the traverse rod A when disposed in the vertical position illustrated, as well as when tilted or inclined about the axis of the shank to a substantial extent, and, in fact, even if the carrier were to be swung through an arc of degrees.

In the event it is desired to remove one of the carriers C from the traverse rod A, it is only necessary to lift it upwardly until its shank 23 engages the lower edge 18 of the upper flange 16, and then exert an outward movement on the foot and leg portions 25, 26, as by grasping the foot portion with the fingers F and pulling outwardly, such as disclosed in FIG. 6. The retainer 40 will deflect inwardly to overlie the skirt 34, until the retainer and skirt are pulled over the lower edge 19, which will position the lower portion 35 of the cylindrical skirt outwardly of the lower flange 17 of the traverse rod and permit withdrawal of the inner body portion 32 through the access slot 20. Following such withdrawal, the retainer 40 automatically and inherently (returns to its initial position substantially parallel to the web 27 of the outer body portion 24.

By virtue of the carrier disclosed, it is unnecessary to effect any partial or full disassembly of the drapery pin hooks D and drapery B relative to the carriers C for the purpose of removing such carriers, when elimination of an unrequired carrier from the traverse rod is required. Similarly, such partial or full disassembly is also unnecessary to the addition of one or more carriers at any particular location or locations along the traverse rod. Carriers can be removed transversely from the lI'Od by the mere act of snapping them outwardly, such as illustrated in FIG. 6 of the drawings, and each carrier can readily be inserted transversely through the access slot or opening of the traverse rod in the manner illustrated in FIGS. 3, 4 and 5.

When a carrier C is mounted in place within the traverse rod A, it will remain in such position and will not inadvertently be dislodged therefirom. Extraction of the carrier becomes difficult in view of the engagement of the retainer 40 with the lower flange. However, elevation of a carrier to engage its shank with the upper flange 16 of the traverse rod makes the retainer 40 more readily deflectable in a direction overlying the cylindrical skirt 34 and facilitates: the outward pulling of the retainer and the inner 'body portion 32 through the access slot 20. When appropriately assembled, the carriers slide freely along the traverse rod and will not bind relative to such rod, nor will the carriers interfere with one another in view of the tact that their engagement is along the rounded or cylindrical surfaces of their outer body portions 24. When in engagement, they may tilt relative to one another, as permitted by the cylindrical or circular surfaces. During normal use, the retainer 40 is not subject to easy deflection since the shank 23 then rests upon the lower flange 17, and any transverse outward movement "of the carrier will engage the Web 33 with the upper margin of the lower flange 19, rather than the retainer 40 depending therefrom. This is due to the fact that the lower surface of the shank 23 is disposed upwardly or inwardly of the lower outermost surface of the web 33 and cylindrical flange or skirt 34 of the inner body portion 32. In fact, even in the absence of the retainer 40, the carrier would not shift transversely outwardly of the slot, in view of the fact that the lower end of the web 33 engages the lower flange. The presence of the retainer 40 is further assurance of retention of the carrier in assembled relation within the traverse rod, particularly upon elevation of the carrier in the rod.

The carrier is of strong and sturdy construction and is yet of lightweight. The several reinforcing flanges 29, 30, 34 serve to provide the necessary rigidity of the entire structure, except for the retainer 40. If desired, further lightening and saving in material can be effected by providing a central axial hole or passage 50 through the shank.

I claim:

1. In a carrier adapted to support drapery and the like from a rod having a longitudinal access slot opening into a longitudinal channel of the rod which is substantially wider than the slot: an upper hotly including a cylindrical shank of uniform length having a width less than the width of the lot and adapted to extend thereinto, an outer portion secured to said shank and extending laterally of and in opposite directions beyond the shank to overlie the exterior of the rod on opposite sides of its slot, and an inner cylindrical portion eccentric of and secured to said cylindrical shank in spaced relation to said outer portion and extending laterally of and beyond said shank in one direction to overlie the interior of the rod at one side of its slot when disposed in the channel, said eccentric inner portion extending laterally of and beyond said shank in the opposite direction to a substantially lesser extent than said inner portion extends laterally beyond said shank in said one direction to overlie the interior of the rod at the opposite side of its slot when said inner portion overlies the interior of the rod at said one side of said slot; and a depending portion secured to said outer portion of said body and adapted to receive a drapery hook or the like.

2. In a carrier adapted to support drapery and the like from a rod having a horizontal longitudinal access slot opening into a horizontal longitudinal channel of the rod which is substantially wider than the slot: an upper body including a substantially horizontal cylindrical shank of uniform length having a width less than the width of the slot and adapted to extend thereinto, an outer portion secured to said shank and extending upwardly and downwardly therebeyond to overlie the exterior of the rod above and below its slot, and an inner cylindrical portion eccentric of and secured to said shank in axially spaced relation to said outer portion and extending upwardly beyond said shank to overlie the interior of the rod above its slot when disposed in the channel, said eccentric inner portion extending downwardly beyond said shank to a substantially lesser extent than said upwardly extending portion extends upwardly beyond said shank to provide a shallow lower groove portion with said outer portion capable of receiving the rod at the lower side of its slot with said upwardly extending inner portion overlying the interior of said rod above its slot; and a depending portion secured to said outer portion of said body and adapted to receive a drapery hook or the like.

3. In a carrier adapted to support drapery and the like from a rod having a longitudinal access slot opening into a longitudinal channel of the rod which is substantially wider than the slot: an upper body including a cylindrical shank of uniform length having a width less than the width of the slot and adapted to extend thereinto, an outer portion integral with said shank and extending laterally of and in opposite directions beyond the shank to overlie the exterior of the rod on opposite sides of its slot, and an inner cylindrical portion eccentric of and integral with said cylindrical shank and in spaced relation to said outer portion and extending laterally of and beyond said shank in one direction to overlie the interior of the rod at one side of its slot when disposed in the channel, said eccentric inner portion extending laterally of and beyond said shank in the opposite direction to a substantially lesser extent than said inner portion extends laterally beyond said shank in said one direction to overlie the interior of the rod at the opposite side of its slot when said inner portion overlies the interior of the rod at said one side of said slot; and a depending portion integral with said outer portion of said body and adapted to receive a drapery hook or the like.

4. In a carrier adapted to support drapery and the like from a rod having a horizontal longitudinal access slot opening into a horizontal longitudinal channel of the rod which is substantially wider than the slot: an upper body including a substantially horizontal cylindrical shank of uniform length having a vertical width less than the width of the slot and adapted to extend thereinto, an outer portion integral with said cylindrical shank and extending upwardly and downwardly therebeyond to overlie the exterior of the rod above and below its slot, and an inner cylindrical portion eccentric of and integral with said shank in axial spaced relation to said outer portion and extending upwardly beyond said shank to overlie the interior of the rod above its slot when disposed in the channel, said eccentric inner portion extending downwardly beyond said shank to a substantially lesser extent than said upwardly extending portion extends upwardly beyond said shank to provide a shallow lower groove portion with said outer portion capable of receiving the rod at the lower side of its slot with said upwardly extending inner portion overlying the interior of said rod above its slot; and a depending portion integral with said outer portion of said body and adapted to receive a drapery hook or the like.

5. In a carrier adapted to support drapery and the like from a rod having a longitudinal access slot opening into a longitudinal channel of the rod which is substantially wider than the slot: an upper body including a shank having a width, less than the width of the slot and adapted to extend thereinto, an outer portion secured to said shank and extending laterally of and in opposite directions beyond the shank to overlie the exterior of the rod on opposite sides of its slot, and an inner portion eccentric of and secured to said shank in spaced relation to said outer portion and extending laterally of and beyond said shank in one direction to overlie the interior of the rod at one side of its slot when disposed in the channel and to provide a first groove portion with said outer portion capable of receiving the rod at said one side of its slot, said eccentric inner portion extending laterally of and beyond said shank in the opposite direction to overlie the interior of the rod at the opposite side of its slot when disposed in the channel and to provide a second groove portion with said outer portion substantially shallower than said first groove portion and capable of receiving the rod at the opposite side of its slot, an elastic defiectable retainer secured to said inner portion and extending laterally of and beyond said shank in the opposite direction to overlie the interior of the rod at the opposite side of its slot when disposed in the channel, said retainer being deflectable axially of said shank by the rod to permit insertion of said inner portion and retainer through the slot into the channel and extraction of said inner portion and retainer from the channel through the slot; and a depending portion secured to said outer portion of said body and adapted to receive a drapery hook or the like.

6. In a carrier adapted to support drapery and the like from a rod having a horizontal longitudinal access slot opening into a horizontal longitudinal channel of the rod which is substantially wider than the slot: an upper body including a substantially hoirzontal shank having a width less than the width of the slot and adapted to extend thereinto, an outer portion secured to said shank and extending upwardly and downwardly therebeyond to overlie the exterior of the rod above and below its slot, and an inner portion eccentric of and secured to said shank in axially spaced relation to said outer portion and extending upwardly beyond said shank to overlie the interior of the rod above its slot when disposed in the channel and to provide an upper groove with said outer portion capable of receiving the rod at the upper side of its slot, said eccentric inner portion extending downwardly beyond said shank to provide a shallow lower groove portion with said outer portion capable of receiving the rod at the lower side of its slot, a lower elastic defiectable retainer secured to said inner portion and extending below said shank and the lower end of said inner portion to overlie the interior of the rod below its slot, said retainer being defiectable axially of said shank by the rod to permit insertion of said inner portion and retainer through the slot into the channel and extraction of said inner portion and retainer from the channel through the slot; and a depending portion secured to said outer portion of said body and adapted to receive a drapery hook or the like.

7. In a carrier adapted to support drapery and the like from a rod having a horizontal longitudinal access slot opening into a horizontal longitudinal channel of the rod which is substantially wider than the slot: an upper body including a substantially horizontal shank having a vertical width less than the width of the slot and adapted to extend thereinto, an outer portion integral with said shank and extending upwardly and downwardly therebeyond to overlie the exterior of the rod above and below its slot, and in inner portion eccentric of and integral with said shank in axial spaced relation to said outer portion and extending upwardly beyond said shank to overlie the interior of the rod above its slot when disposed in the channel and to provide an upper groove portion with said outed portion capable of receiving the rod at the upper side of its slot, said eccentric inner portion extending downwardly beyond said shank to provide a shallow lower groove portion with said outer portion capable of receiving the rod at the lower side of its slot, a lower elastic deflectable retainer integral with said inner portion and extending below said shank and the lower end of said inner portion to overlie the interior of the rod below its slot, said retainer being deflectable axially of said shank by the rod to permit insertion of said inner portion and retainer through the slot into the channel and extraction of said inner portion and retainer from the channel through the slot; and a depending portion integral with said outer portion of said body and adapted to receive a drapery hook or the like.

8. In a carrier adapted to support drapery and the like from a rod having a longitudinal access slot opening into a longitudinal channel of the rod which is substantially wider than the slot: an upper body including a generally cylindrical shank having a diameter less than the width of the slot and adapted to extend thereinto, an outer portion secured to said shank and extending laterally of and in opposite directions beyond the periphery of the shank to overlie the exterior of the rod on opposite sides of its slot, and an inner generally cylindrical portion eccentric of and secured to said shank in spaced relation to said outer portion and having a diameter substantially greater than said shank and the width of the slot to extend laterally beyond said shank in one direction to overlie the interior of the rod at one side of its slot when disposed in the channel, and an elastic deflectable retainer secured to said inner portion at said shank and extending laterally of and beyond said shank in the opposite direction to overlie the interior of the rod at the opposite side of its slot when disposed in the channel, said retainer being deflectable axially of said shank by the rod to permit insertion of said inner portion through the slot into the channel and extraction of said inner portion from the channel through the slot; and a depending portion secured to said outer portion of said body and adapted to receive a drapery hook or the like.

9. In a carrier adapted to support drapery and the like from a rod having a generally horizontal longitudinal access slot opening into a generally horizontal longitudinal channel of the rod which is substantially wider than the slot: an upper body including a generally horizontal cylindrical shank having a diameter less than the width of the slot and adapted to extend thereinto, an outer portion secured to said shank and extending upwardly and downwardly therebeyond to overlie the exterior of the rod above and below its slot, and a generally cylindrical inner portion eccentric of and secured to said shank in spaced relation to said outer portion and having a diameter substantially greater than said shank and the width of the slot to extend upwardly beyond said shank to overlie the interior of the rod above its slot when disposed in the channel, and an elastic deflectable retainer secured to said inner portion at said shank and extending below said shank to overlie the interior of the rod below its slot when disposed in the channel, said retainer being deflectable axially of said shank by the rod to permit insertion of said inner portion through the slot into the channel and extraction of said inner portion from the channel through the slot; and a depending portion secured to said outer portion of said body and adapted to receive a drapery hook or the like.

10. In a carrier adapted to support drapery and the like from a rod having a generally horizontal longitudinal access slot opening into a generally horizontal longitudinal channel of the rod which is substantially wider than the slot: an upper body including a generally horizontal cylindrical shank having a diameter less than the width of the slot and adapted to extend thereinto, an outer portion integral with said shank and extending upwardly and downwardly therebeyond to overlie the exterior of the rod above and below its slot, and a generally cylindrical inner portion eccentric of and integral with said shank in spaced relation to said outer portion and having a diameter substantially greater than said shank and the width of the slot to extend upwardly beyond said shank to overlie the interior of the rod above its slot when disposed in the channel, and an elastic deflectable retainer integral with said inner portion at said shank and extending below said shank to overlie the interior of the rod below its slot when disposed in the channel, said retainer being deflectable axially of said shank by the rod to per mit insertion of said inner portion through the slot into the channel and extraction of said inner portion from the channel through the slot; and a depending portion inte gral with said outer portion of said body and adapted to receive a drapery hook or the like.

11. In a carrier adapted to support drapery and the like from a rod having a longitudinal access slot opening into a longitudinal channel of the rod which is substantially wider than the slot: an upper body including a cylindrical shank of uniform length having a width less than the width of the slot and adapted to extend thereinto, an outer portion secured to said cylindrical shank and extending laterally of and in opposite directions beyond the shank to overlie the exterior of the rod on opposite sides of its slot, and an inner cylindrical portion secured to said shank in spaced relation to said outer portion and extending laterally of and beyond said shank in one direction to overlie the interior of the rod at one side of its slot when disposed in the channel, said inner portion ex tending laterally of and beyond said shank in the opposite direction to a substantially lesser extent than said inner portion extends laterally beyond said shank in said one direction to overlie the interior of the rod at the opposite side of its slot when disposed in the channel and with said shank engaging the rod at such opposite side of its slot, the overall lateral distance between said cylindrical inner member at the opposite side of the rod slot and the cylindrical shank at the one side of the rod slot being less than the width of the slot; and a depending portion secured to said outer portion of said body and adapted to receive a drapery hook or the like.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,916,719 7/1933 Dover et al. 160-345 2,654,114 10/1953 Graber et al. 16-87.6 2,848,735 8/1958 Ault et al. 1687.4 2,872,696 2/1959 Perlmutter 1687.4 3,051,318 8/1962 Murphy l6-87.4 3,199,142 8/1965 Salzmann el al. 1687.2

PATRICK A. CLIFFORD, Primary Examiner. JOSEPH D. SEERS, BOBBY R. GAY, Examiners. 

1. IN A CARRIER ADAPTED TO SUPPORT DRAPERY AND THE LIKE FROM A ROD HAVING A LONGITUDINAL ACCESS SLOT OPENING INTO A LONGITUDINAL CHANNEL OF THE ROD WHICH IS SUBSTANTIALLY WIDER THAN THE SLOT: AN UPPER BODY INCLUDING A CYLINDRICAL SHANK OF UNIFORM LENGTH HAVING A WIDTH LESS THAN THE WIDTH OF THE LOT AND ADAPTED TO EXTEND THEREINTO, AN OUTER PORTION SECURED TO SAID SHANK AND EXTENDING LATERALLY OF AND IN OPPOSITE DIRECTIONS BEYOND THE SHANK TO OVERLIE THE EXTERIOR OF THE ROD ON OPPOSITE SIDES OF ITS SLOT, AND AN INNER CYLINDRICAL PORTION ECCENTRIC OF AND SECURED TO SAID CYLINDRICAL SHANK IN SPACED RELATION TO SAID OUTER PORTTION AND EXTENDING LATERALLY OF AND BEYOND SAID SHANK IN ONE DIRECTION TO OVERLIE THE INTERIOR OF THE ROD AT ONE SIDE OF ITS SLOT WHEN DISPOSED IN THE CHANNEL, SAID ECCENTRIC INNER PORTION EXTENDING LATERALLY OF AND BEYOND SAID SHANK IN THE OPPOSITE DIRECTION TO A SUBSTANTIALLY LESSER EXTENT THAN SAID INNER PORTION EXTENDS LATERALLY BEYOND SAID SHANK IN SAID ONE DIRECTION TO OVELIE THE INTERIOR OF THE ROD AT THE OPPOSITE SIDE OF ITS SLOT WHEN SAID INNER PORTION OVERLIES THE INTERIOR OF THE ROD AT SAID ONE SIDE OF SAID SLOT; AND A DEPENDING PORTION SECURED TO SAID OUTER PORTION OF SAID BODY AND ADAPTED TO RECEIVE A DRAPERY HOOK OR THE LIKE. 